5 Keys to a Gamcock Win vs Clemson

I am going to keep this one real basic as I believe that Carolina is the better team entering today's contest. However, there are some simple things that must be done today to ensure a Gamecock victory....those are my 5 keys...

1. Play of Smelley --- Chris has to throw to SC players and stop the TOs. Make smart accurate throws and the game is ours. Also spread the ball around as I feel we play our best when that happens.

2. Execute Basic Football --- I mean that USC has to block and tackle. Do all the small things right today. No penalties. No TOs on offense. Play your position. Win the trench battles. Win the field position game. Clock Management. Don't over pursue. Play smart. Do all these little things and the WIN is easy.

3. Carolina Special Teams --- Succop must be accurate today and he has to boot the ball out of end zone. This will limit their Special teams threats. Same goes for Spencer Lanning. Keep the ball out of Spillers hands on special teams.

4. Carolina D must be ready --- Prove to all these Clemson haters why you guys are some of the best and the UF game was a joke. Limit Davis/Spiller but clogging the holes and tackling. Oh and watch the "bubble screen." Play tough, get after their QB, force a TO and no mistakes. It would help to have the D score some points.

5. Attitude --- Carolina has to go into this game and realize it is a rival but take care of business. Don't let the hoopla get in their heads or anything else. Today is about executing and finishing the job. Everyone knows that USC is the better team so prove it.

Well there you have it....simple I feel. No hard stats to prove a point just basic football as this is a rivalry game and all that does not matter. Plus it is the final game so it is time to put up or shut up!

My prediction is that USC will WIN vs. Clemson by the score of 24 - 13.

A few more Clemson Jokes...

Q: What has 98 legs & 49 teeth?
A: A Clemson Sorority and Fraternity Party.

Q: Why do Clemson women like to be on top during sex?
A: So they don't swallow their tobacco.

Q : What is the method of birth control on the Clemson campus?
A : Putting an X on the cows that kick!

Q : What does the average Clemson football player get on his SAT?
A : Drool

Gamecock Friday News Thread

Another news cycle...

Gamecock/Tigers News Thread
A house divided
Rivalry Week poll: Best USC alumni

Clemson vs. USC: Wrong turn for Mike Davis

Tigers search for grand finale

Clemson's coaching uncertainty distinguishes rival game

Pepper sees chance for redemption at Clemson

McKinley hopes to spoil Clemson's bowl chances

It's been a long season for Tigers' offensive line

Going Head-To-Head

Sophomore Maddox moves up to No. 2 RB

Johnson has been on both sides of this rivalry

Dabo and the other leftovers

Stopping 'The Freak' one of biggest keys for Tigers

USC random bowl thoughts before turkey dinner

Will USC go to the Chick-fil-A bowl or Outback?

Those two seem the most likely stops but the first is starting to seem the likely venue to me or it could be the pumpkin pie I smell. Anyway, with LSU taking a 'L' to Ole Miss recently it has changed some of the scenarios we have read about recently.

Assuming nothing stupid happens over the weekend like a UF loss, bama loss, Ole Miss loss or LSU loss...here is how things could shape up....

• Ole Miss goes to the Cotton
• LSU could end up at the Outback bowl
• USC to the Chick-fil-a for the first time since the Gamecocks won the ACC title in 1969

However, if USC gets blown out by Clemson and Kentucky handles Tennessee, the Outback could go with Kentucky, bumping the Gamecocks to the Music City against an ACC team on Dec. 31.

Oh and another thing to think about is if Bama beats UF in the SEC Championship....that could push USC towards a trip to the Liberty Bowl. I will go on the record and say that this will not happen....NO WAY Bama beats the Gators.

I feel that a trip to Atlanta is going to happen, at least that is how I feel today...talk around the dinner table today and get back to us as we would love to hear where you think USC will end up "bowl-ing?"

Turkey Day - Gamecocks vs Tigers News

The news must go on...

Carolina/Clemson News Thread
Clemson eyeing Calhoun, Patterson for coaching vacancy
Tigers' Davis plays with power, passion
Gamecocks' defense is safe with Stewart
Clemson candidate search moves ahead
Gamecocks focused on Tigers, not bowl
Clemson's Buchholz was hero in 2007
Geathers' return a blessing for USC
Clemson vs USC: Will Saturday's game come down to a field goal?
Morris: Can Tigers win 1 for the Dabo?
SEC vs. Big 12 seems pretty even on paper
Practice report: Smelley confident about Saturday’s game
It’s time to be a hater
The SEC: Three things we've learned
Poll: What is the top USC landmark?
Practice report: Smelley ready for rivalry
Time to pick the awards
Bowers starting to emerge
Smelley has seen it all at USC
Our rivalry is tame by comparison

More Clemson Jokes...

Did you know - A new law was passed in Clemson recently....When a couple gets a divorce, they're still brother and sister.

Q: What is the difference between a Clemson cheerleader and a catfish?
A: One has whiskers and smells; the other is a fish.

Q: What do you get when you breed a groundhog and the Clemson Tigers Football Team?
A: Six more weeks of bad football.

Happy Turkey Day!

From your pals at LOHD!

Clemson Jokes of the Day

Q : How do you know the tooth brush was invented at Clemson?
A : If it had been invented anywhere else, it would have been called a teethbrush.

Q : Why don't Clemson fans fart?
A : Their mouths are never closed long enough to build up any pressure!

Q : What do they call duct tape in Clemson?
A : Chrome!

Q: Why do Clemson Students go to the movie theater in groups of 18 or more?
A: Nobody admitted 17 and under.

Q: What do you get when you have 32 Clemson Football Players in the same room?
A: A full set of teeth.

Anybody got some to add...post to the comment section....

More USC & CU Football Coverage

As the anticipation grows....

LOHD News Thread
After ugly season, Tigers excited about bowl possibilities
Fans' passion for in-state rivalry relates to Gamecock players
James Davis winds down stellar career at Clemson
Spurrier expects close game against Clemson
Former Alabama coach Stallings visits Swinney
Phillips briefs Clemson Board of Trustee on football coach search
Spurrier wants to give Smelley chance to succeed
Gamecocks downplay emotional trappings of rivalry game
Air Force, TCU coaches on Tigers' list
Clemson Report: Buchholz enjoys status as celebrity on campus
USC Report: Brinkley expects defense to rebound
Swinney eager for final act
Practice report: Alabama's Stallings visits Tigers
Another fast team awaits USC
USC battles past first bout with adversity
Practice report: Extra motivation for rivalry game
The best of Carolina and Clemson
Poll: What is USC's all-time best team?
Practice report: Garcia returns
Swinney playing out a scene in his movie
Assistant coaches not guaranteed to remain
Gamecocks' 'D' looking to regroup
Pick a bowl, any bowl
Ol' Ball Coach vows to be Mr. Nice Guy

NBC Sports USC vs. CU Prediction

A different spin...from NBC Sports....

South Carolina at Clemson

There’s no truth to the rumor that there will be a special guest giving the pregame speech in the Tiger locker room, even though Tommy Bowden excelled at beating the Gamecocks, going 7-2 during his time at Clemson. It’s Dabo Swinney’s show at the moment and if he can come through in his first crack at the archrivals, it might not be his last.
South Carolina, however, ranks second only to the other “USC” in pass defense, allowing just 156.7 yards per game through the air. That’s not good news for Tiger quarterback Cullen Harper . . . and neither is the fact that his offensive line remains a weak link and won’t be able to handle the Gamecocks’ rugged front four well enough to qualify Clemson for a bowl game.

South Carolina 20-17

Scout.com - Gamecock/Clemson Game Prediction

Saw this today from Scout.com and I am posting it below for your reading pleasure...

South Carolina (7-4) at Clemson (6-5), 12:00 EST, ESPN2

Why to watch: All things considered, Clemson has done a commendable job of getting above .500 after a horrible start, winning three of its last four ACC games. The Tigers still need to win this week’s game to become bowl eligible since two of its victories have come against FCS opponents. Beating hated rival South Carolina would salvage something from this disappointing season, while improving Dabo Swinney’s chances of removing the interim tag from his title. South Carolina gets back to action two weeks after being dressed down by Florida, 56-6. Besides the obvious desire to reverse Clemson’s recent dominance in this series, the Gamecocks are hoping to improve their chances of getting an invitation to the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Why South Carolina might win: Since Clemson won’t be confused with Florida anytime soon, the Gamecocks will get back to being one of the nation’s stingiest defenses. Despite allowing 56 points two weeks ago, they’re still 11th nationally in total defense and allow just 19 points a game. The Tigers never found their groove on offense this season, putting up just 17 points a game versus teams from the FBS. They’ll have all kinds of problems with a swarming unit led by DE Eric Norwood, S Emmanuel Cook, and CB Captain Munnerlyn.

Why Clemson might win: In many ways, these two schools mirror one another. Like their rivals to the west, South Carolina has also been inconsistent on offense, ranking at the bottom of the SEC in rushing. It’ll take more than a one-dimensional attack to move the ball on a Tiger defense that’s yielded just 10 points in the last two games and is giving up less than 300 yards a game. Clemson is fifth in the country in pass defense, which will put added pressure on that futile Gamecock ground game. The Tigers haven’t allowed more than one touchdown pass in a game since Week 2, a streak neither Chris Smelley nor Stephen Garcia appear capable of snapping.

Who to watch: With almost no help from the pass rush, the Clemson pass defense has been outstanding, picking off six passes in the last three games. One of the stars of secondary has been S Michael Hamlin, who has the dual-abilities as a run defender and cover guy that’ll translate well to the NFL in 2009. The senior not only leads the Tigers in solo tackles, but also has a team-high five interceptions.

What will happen: Anything other than a physical, close, low-scoring game will be a surprise. The two schools are fairly evenly matched, with South Carolina rating an edge on defense and Clemson having slightly more pop on offense. The difference will come from the Tiger playmakers. The ‘Cocks don’t have a back that can compare to James Davis or C.J. Spiller, who’ll help soften the South Carolina defense in a Clemson victory.

CFN Prediction: Clemson 23 … South Carolina 17 ...

Line: Clemson -1
Must See Rating: (5 Football while eating Thanksgiving food – 1 Home movies after dinner) … 3

USC Seat Fee Update

USC announced that 92 percent of the season football tickets for next season have been reserved by Gamecock Club members pledging to pay the seat donations that the athletics department unveiled earlier this year. Of the 11,000 current season-ticket holders, fewer than 500 have waived their 2009 tickets. Another 993 members failed to respond by the Oct. 31 deadline.

Shortly after this announced, USC AD Eric Hyman was seen yelling "show me the money" as he walked through the offices at the AD complex.

SC Big Game Week (please add comments)

USC vs CU News Thread

More Clemson Game coverage for Gamecock Nation:

Gamecocks Begin Preparations for Clemson
Morris: Spurrier continues search for answers at QB
Could Gamecocks alter Clemson coach search?
USC ignites tiger as tradition renewed
Clash of old friends comes to Death Valley
Practice report: No interview set for Swinney ... yet
Destination unknown, Tigers hope for road trip
Practice report: Pro defections seem likely
Poll: What's the best USC tradition?
Clemson to face tough defense in Carolina
Spurrier names Smelley starter against Clemson
Korn headed for postseason shoulder surgery
Clemson report: Swinney says he has no regrets
Clemson's Kelly focused on beating USC, earning bowl bid
USC's Spurrier names Smelley starter against Clemson
Last year's loss weighed heavily on USC defense
When in doubt, better to go with the home team
Road life in Death Valley is just as nice as The Brice
Napier settling in on big stage
Korn due surgery after USC game
Smelley will carry the load

USC's Garcia sick

The "chosen one" may not see action vs. Clemson due to stomach virus according to The State. It says he will "be ready" but I personally doubt it. Anyone who has every had a stomach virus knows that it takes longer than a couple of days to get 100%. But he may play just worry if he truly will "be ready?" Will it be back up 3rd stringer SC QB Tommy Beecher to the rescue like Erik Kimrey?

South Carolina - Clemson News Thread

Us here at LOHD this week will try to keep you up to date on news pertaining to the rivalry game on Saturday:

Rivalry game may not alter USC’s bowl

Tigers lose DE Sapp for season finale

Daily report: Smelley earned his start at Clemson
Rivalry week: Why did the Gamecock cross the road?

Korn faces more tests on ailing shoulder
Brinkley hopes to make a difference again vs. Clemson

Sapp tears ACL; beat-up Tigers prepare for USC

5 reasons for Tigers' recent dominance

High noon: Lot on line for Clemson

Clemson favored against Gamecocks?

How can this be? I don't know about you but I am surprised to see Clemson opening up the week favored by 1....

What do you guys think? Maybe because they have a certain "awesome-ness" about them like the guys pictured on your left?

Former Tennessee Recruit now a Gamecock

Good news to start the week as USC on Sunday picked up commitments from a 2009 prospect and one for 2010.
D.J. Swearinger (6-foot-0, 200 pounds) is the 2009 pledge. Swearinger had been favoring the Gamecocks since de-committing from Tennessee following Phillip Fulmer’s resignation.
Thanks Vol nation!

You know the Clemson firing and UT firing has worked out well for Carolina. Having Holloman and Swearinger in the USC secondary in coming years will continue the trend over the last few years of USC having a great 'D.'

Also defensive lineman Kelcy Quarles (6-4, 260) committed to the Gamecocks Sunday for the 2010 class. Quarles is the son of former USC offensive tackle Buddy Quarles.

More Recruiting News

Gamecocks vs Tigers a Noon Kickoff

Per the ACC website...the Gamecocks vs Tigers game in Death Valley will be a noon-er! And will be showcased on ESPN2.

thoughts? Is a noon kickoff good for USC or CU?